Blame it on social media, our advancing age, sustainability or our increased trust in mixologists, but we appear to be living in peak savory cocktail days. These are not the sugar-centric cocktails that you might have preferred when you were younger. But, rather, they’re complex, palate-challenging sips that hit perfectly on the not-so-sweet side.
Savory concoctions like the Caesar salad martini, the parmesan espresso martini and the In-N-Out martini (yes, you read that right) have all gone viral on TikTok recently. And while your initial reaction might be a hard pass, if you like Bloody Marys, why not give a tomato martini a go?
Mixologists are increasingly looking to food for their drink inspiration, collabing with the kitchen to reduce food waste at their restaurants and flex their creativity. Think: tomatoes, avocados and even curry as the stars of your next drink. Still skeptical? These offbeat cocktails around Boulder and Denver will convert you to the savory side.
Avocado Margarita
It might seem strange to go to a Michelin-starred restaurant for a margarita, but Alma Fonda Fina’s avocado margarita has gotten so much buzz that we know people who’ve stopped in (at off hours, because trust us, dropping in on a whim at 6:30 p.m. isn’t happening here) solely for the green drink. When chef-owner Johnny Curiel opened Cozobi Fonda Fina in Boulder last summer, of course he had to bring along the famous avocado marg—a classic mix of tequila, lime and agave made not-so-classic with the addition of avocado puree. Rimmed with a house-made Tajin-y mix, you definitely won’t be missing the sweet here. 909 Walnut St., Boulder & 2556 15th St., Denver
Tomato Martini
OAK at Fourteenth’s menu is a seasonally moving target, but if you see the tomato martini on the drink roster, order it. Here, bartenders combine cucumber- and basil-tinged heirloom tomato water with vodka or gin, Lillet Blanc and a couple dashes of lemon bitters. It pretty much tastes like biting into the perfect August beefsteak tomato—except, you know, without the biting. 1400 Pearl St., Boulder
The 3 Course
There are a lot of tasty things to drink at SALT, the 16-year-old Pearl Street staple, but we recommend skipping your go-to Old Fashioned and instead giving a cocktail called “The 3 Course” a whirl. There’s a lot going on in this drink, which features a blend of gin, fig liqueur, Earl Grey syrup, umami bitters, smoked árbol chile oil, rosemary, lemon and a milk clarification (Don’t worry, the drink is still lactose-free.). And of course, salt. A couple sips and you’ll be a card-carrying member of Team Savory. 1047 Pearl St., Boulder
MSGin
MAKfam, Denver’s newish fine-casual Chinese restaurant, wants you to love MSG. The long-maligned but totally fine flavor enhancer is featured prominently on MAKfam’s menu, both in the food and the drinks. In fact, their “MSGin” cocktail quickly became a fan favorite. This martini features savory Chinese plum brine, gin, Shaoxing wine and, of course, the star ingredient, MSG. And that’s not the only not-so-sweet drink they’ve got: “She’s the Empress, Not the Concubine” is like sipping your favorite Thai yellow curry in a glass. And the “Mui-Mui of the Corn” combines corn two ways with rum, rice vinegar and celery. 39 W. 1st Ave., Denver
Oyster Shooter
When you’re craving oysters, you should probably head to Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar. And when you’re craving oysters sipped down with cucumber-infused vodka, lemon and Bloody Mary mix, you should probably order Jax’s “Oyster Shooter” drink. It’s fresh, it’s savory and it features a plumply briny Crackerjax oyster plucked from the mouth of the York River, just 28 miles from Chesapeake Bay. 928 Pearl St., Boulder
El Diablo
You already know tequila and mezcal, but do you know sotol? The funky-smelling Mexican spirit comes from a shrub, not agave, giving it grassy pine notes instead of the smoky sweetness of the agave spirits. At Centro Mexican Kitchen, they use it in their “El Diablo” cocktail, along with a trio of peppers (hatch green chili, habanero and jalapeño) and a dusting of Tajin. A little fiery and a whole lot of vibrant, it’s also an Instagram-worthy bright chartreuse color. 950 Pearl St., Boulder
MycoMylk
Trade the alcohol for fungi at Myco Café, Colorado’s first mushroom-themed coffee shop and café. Infused with functional mushrooms like lion’s mane, cordyceps and reishi, you can pick from lattes, chais, smoothies and ayurvedic tea. Or really lean into the mushroom theme with the super potent “MycoMylk” shot. You might even leave the slightly psychedelic, plant-filled café healthier than when you walked in. 1629 28th St., Boulder
